irma and the big evac. 22
Top Notch and the winner is ⌠3 Astheworldterns breathe easier. 6
get in the game. 13 SEPT. 5, 2018 FREE
VOLUME 26, NO. 45
Rescues, cleanups come with red tide. 4 Anna Maria plots another round of bids for new pier. 5
Op-Ed
The Islander editorial. 6
10-20 YEarS ago
Looking back. 7
Meetings
On the government calendar. 8 Bike-share pitched in Holmes Beach. 9 Make plans, save a date. 10-11
Happenings
Community announcements, activities. 11 Fitness stations open in Bradenton Beach. 14 AME kids collect for critters. 16
Obituaries. 20 Native legend provides comfort in a storm. 22
Streetlife. 24
Hatchlings emerging daily. 26 Netting âred tide.â 27 Playoffs ahead in adult soccer. 28 Move north to find feisty fish. 29
iSL BiZ
Firing up specials. 30 CLASSIFIEDS. 32
PropertyWatch. 32 NYT crossword. 35
The Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992
www.islander.org
islanders feel some relief from red tide scourge
By Sandy Ambrogi Islander Reporter No one is quite sure who said it first, but longtime fishing guide Capt. Scotty Moore said it again Aug. 31. âItâs not over âtil itâs over,â Moore said of the red tide outbreak along Floridaâs west coast. âBut itâs been a lot better and itâs settled down.â East and northeast breezes, afternoon thunderstorms pushing northwest and slightly cooler temperatures contributed to a reduction in red tideâs impact, especially on the beaches. Islanders were happy to find fewer dead fish and other sea life on the shore. Manatee County reported a total of 241 tons of dead sea life removed from the beaches as of Aug. 26. The county announced Aug. 27 a private contractor hired to remove debris from hard-to-reach areas â such as neighborhood canals and mangrove shorelines â had completed its stint. âThis is not a sprint, itâs a marathon,â Charlie Hunsicker, director of the Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department said. He encouraged volunteers to continue to participate in area cleanups. On Aug. 31, the county reported moderate seaweed and dead fish at Bradenton Beachâs Coquina North and Coquina South boat ramps, as well as Coquina Bayside and at Anna Mariaâs Bayfront Park. The main beaches from Coquina Beach to Bean Point were clear that day. Locals attempted a rebound to normal
Volunteers and county staff clean the Palma Sola Causeway beach of rotting fish and horseshoe crabs Sept. 1, a second effort in as many weeks. Flamingo Cay homes are on the horizon behind the workers. Islander Photos: Kathy Prucnell Michael Elswick, division manager of the Manatee County parks and natural resources department, empties a bucket of debris Sept. 1 into a dumpster on the Palma Sola Causeway.
The shoreline is sparsely colored by families with umbrellas and canopies, kids and their toys Sept. 1 as Carey Reichele, left, and her mother, Nancy Reichele, both visiting from Cincinnati, make their way toward Spring Avenue in Anna Maria. They said they found the beach clean on their walk, but the water was brownish, not the usual aqua-blue they like to see. Islander Photo: Kathy Prucnell life, running specials at eateries to lure in locals and reaching out a helping hand to those affected by red tide. The Roser Food Pantry in Anna Maria announced a program to assist workers struggling through the slowdown. The pantry, 511 Pine Ave., made nonperishable food items and paper goods available to employees and staff of Anna Maria Island and Cortez businesses adversely affected by red tide. The offer of assistance includes a bag of groceries per person per week. Appli-
cants are asked to call the office of Roser Memorial Community Church at 941-7780414. The Aug. 27-31 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission report showed remaining high concentrations of red tide along the coast of Manatee County, with indications of a slight northward movement. In Sarasota County, red tide counts showed a 5-25 percent decrease in concentration. The FWC report said Karenia brevis PLEASE SEE RED TIDE PAGE 2